HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston State head football coach K.C. Keeler announced the signing of 16 more additions to the Bearkat roster for the 2018 season on National Signing Day on Wednesday.

The 16 new Kats join a group of four signed in the fall’s early signing period to give Sam Houston 20 immediate additions for next year. Of the entire class, 14 will be freshmen in addition to six junior college transfers.

Nine of the total signees will suit up on the offensive side of the ball with nine more on the defense and a pair of specialists. The class is diverse in its recruiting area with signees hailing from six states - including 10 from Texas - and Australia.

Sam Houston had four big additions in the fall with the signing of quarterback Mike Dare, running backs Alex Williams and Donovan Williams, along with defensive back Immanuel Sutton.

KEELER QUOTEABLES ON THE CLASS“We are really excited on the class and we really hit our needs perfectly. This class was really a class of meeting needs, but also bringing in really talented kids. We are also excited about 10 of the 14 freshmen we signed were captains, and that several of the junior college kids we signed were captains, so we got great leadership there.”

“We wanted to get a polished quarterback to come in and compete for the starting job and we wanted to start reloading at the wide receiver position, and did that. We wanted to get some long, talented offensive linemen that we could develop and we feel great about that. We wanted to get a physical tight to help our run game, but was versatile enough to be put in the slot or at H-back, and we brought in two high level high school running backs that can come in and help us right away.”

“Defensively, we wanted to get a physical presence inside with the defensive line with some older guys, which we did. We also got some long defensive ends which we can develop and an older linebacker that can come in and play immediately along with an older defensive back in Earnest Harris who can come in and have the versatility and help us in any of our five back-end spots. We also really like the other young defensive backs we got which will allow us to keep growing that position.”

“Special teams was no exception. Bryson Porzenski is a triple-threat in a guy who can kickoff, punt and hit field goals. Then we went to Australia to get Matt McRobert, a punter who we are really excited about.”

Keeler on Bowens “We feel like he was one of the most explosive and productive slot receivers in the state. We are excited to find ways to get him the ball on offense and he should make an impact in the kicking game as well.”

Woody Brandom • TE • 6-4 • 216 lbs • Corona, Calif. • Santiago HS • Riverside CC • Montana State Riverside CC Riverside CCCaught eight passes for 99 yards and a pair of scores in his lone season with the Tigers ... averaged 11.1 yards per catch ... had a pair of catches for 27 yards and a touchdown against LA Harbor ... also had two catches, including a score, against Long Beach.

Montana StateSpent true freshman season with the Bobcats on the defensive line ... finished with 14 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss in eight games ... also had a pair of sacks ... picked up four tackles, including a sack and two TFLs against Weber State ... also had a sack against Eastern Washington and a half sack against UC Davis. Santiago High School Earned All-CIF honors as a tight end and safety at Corona Santiago HS... caught 52 passes for 880 yards, 16.9 per catch... two-time first team all-league choice... voted Most Inspirational Shark by teammates.

Keeler on Brandom “A real physical presence at the tight end, but athletic enough to be off the ball and play in the slot. Gives us a lot of options offensively. Was an offensive tackle in high school before being converted as a senior in high school.”

Keeler on Curtis “He’s long, athletic linebacker who runs well. Very explosive and plays well in space. He fills a big need that we will have at linebacker with the loss of Justin Johnson and brings experience as well.”

Peyton Fifield • OL • 6-4 • 260 lbs • The Woodlands, Texas • The Woodlands HSThe Woodlands High School Two-star recruit … originally an FBS commit with five FBS offers … helped lead The Woodlands High School to the state playoffs.

Keeler on Fifield “Great length, excellent reach. Can run with great athleticism and has shown it throughout his career. Played for The Woodlands High School which is one of the winningest programs in the state.”

Jeremy Fowler • DE • 6-3 • 230 lbs • Manor, Texas • Manor HSManor High School Recorded 65 solo tackles and assisted on 105 others … included 7 TFL, 3 sacks and 3 fumble recoveries over his junior and senior year … during senior year also punted 6 times for 240 yards, including a long of 47 yards, and landed 2 punts inside the 20-yard line … named second team all-District 14-6A at linebacker as a senior … younger brother of current Bearkat linebacker Erick Fowler.

Keeler on Fowler “A long, athletic defensive end. He’s a very physical player who’s brother is already here, so it made here a great fit.”

Ernest Harris • S • 6-2 • 200 lbs • Thomasville, Ga. • Thomas County Central HS • Bakersfield JCBakersfield JC First team all-state Region 3 … first team all-conference … recorded 66 tackles in 2017 with five interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery … also had seven pass breakups … was also an all-state high school player at Thomas County Central High School in Georgia.

Keeler on Harris “He is a long, rangy player who can cover both markers to markers and in the middle of the field. He runs very well and is similar in style and look to Merton Hanks. Physical player with great ball skills who should be a great playmaker for us.”

Evrin Hawkins • DB • 5-10 • 160 lbs • Angleton, Texas • Angleton HSAngleton High School District 17-5A MVP … second team all-state in Class 5A … in 2017 had 75 tackles and scored four non-offensive touchdowns, including two defensive and two returns … also had 10 offensive touchdowns and 716 all-purpose yards … also forced and recovered a pair of fumbles.

Keeler on Hawkins “He was voted the most dynamic utility player in his district and played both offense and defense, in addition to returning kicks. Scored seven times on special teams or defense. We expect him to be one of the most versatile defensive players we bring in as he can play all five secondary positions we have.”

Dewaylon Ingram • WR • 6-1 • 175 lbs • Carthage, Texas • Carthage HSCarthage High School Helped Carthage HS to Class 4A Division I state titles as both a junior and senior, including an undefeated season as a senior … during those two seasons he hauled in 120 passes for 2,067 yards and 25 touchdowns … team captain … named a first team all-District 9-4A selection as both a junior and a senior.

Keeler on Ingram “A big, long outside receiver that we were looking for. He has excellent ball skills and very good speed for a bigger receiver. Comes from back-to-back state championship teams, which is the pedigree we like.”

Roscoe Jones • DE • 6-1 • 265 lbs • Dallas, Texas • Bishop Dunne HSBishop Dunne High School Second team all-district choice on the defensive line for Bishop Dunne HS as a junior and a senior … recorded 51 tackles, including 28 assisted tackles and 14 TFLs in his prep career … also recorded 10 sacks, caused and recovered a fumble and blocked both a punt and a field goal.

Keeler on Jones “A twitchy inside guy. Gets off on the ball very well and gets in the backfield quickly. Does a great job using his hands.”

Brandon Kemper • OL • 6-5 • 270 lbs • Norco, Calif. • Norco HSNorco High School Helped Norco High School to second round of playoffs as a team captain … was a four-year starter on varsity … first team all-league and second team all-area … was a first team all-CIF Big 8 selection.

Keeler on Kemper “He has a tackle body with raw athleticism. He’s athletic for his size, so much so that he even stars on his varsity basketball team. He is a high-ceiling offensive lineman that we feel could turn into a very good player for us down the road.”

Keeler on Lofton “A dynamic interior defensive lineman. He’s very athletic for his size and gives interior offensive linemen trouble often. He can play both the run and the pass and we expect him to make an immediate impact.”

Matt McRobert • P • 6-2 • 200 lbs • Berowra, AustraliaPrior to Sam HoustonIn training films averaged 50 yards per punt with a five-second hang time … is a Prokick punter coached by John Smith and Nathan Chapman, the same organization former Bearkat and current New York Jets punter Lachlan Edwards trains with.

Keeler on McRobert “For to get a quality punter from somewhere like Prokick is a great coux for us. He actually now trains with former Bearkat punter Lachlan Edwards. He has the ability to both rugby kick and pro kick, which gives the ability to be multiple in our punt schemes.”

Keeler on Mustin-Sherman “He is a big, dynamic and explosive defensive lineman. He uses his size to abuse offensive lineman and brings a very high motor. He does a great job playing doubles and disrupting the passer.”

Bryson Porzenski • K • 6-0 • 170 lbs • Charlotte, N.C. • Providence HSProvidence High School Was ranked as 30th kicker for Sailor Kicking in 2017 … punter of the year at Greater Charlotte Football awards ceremony … all-conference player on special teams … league special teams player of the year in 2017 … 91 percent touchback rate on kickoffs … career long 52-yard field goal … hit 91 percent of PATs in 2017, scoring 89 points.

Keeler on Porzenski “A three-tool player who can kick off, kick field goals and punt. Has the ability to do all three at a very high level, but we project him as a kicker. He has been highly recruited by multiple FBS schools across the country and with Tre (Honshtein) being a senior this year, it was important for us to bring in a quality kicker.”

Brian Roy • OL • 6-3 • 265 lbs • Port Arthur, Texas • Memorial HSMemorial High School Helped Memorial HS climb to the regional round in the Texas 5A Division I state playoffs … was a second-team all-district choice as a junior and a first team selection as a senior…. also threw shot put and discus for the track & field team.

Keeler on Roy “Brian is a very athletic lineman who projects to the interior offensive line. He’s twitchy but has also shown physicality and was a good get for us as he was recruited highly by the majority of our league.”

Randell Turner • DE • 6-3 • 238 lbs • Corona, Calif. • Norco HSNorco High School Three-star recruit … team captain at Norco High School … 92 tackles with 10 for loss in 2017 … had two forced fumbles with two fumble recoveries and two interceptions.

Keeler on Turner “He’s a very athletic and mobile defensive end. He does a great job striking as well as using speed and athleticism to his advantage. We expect him to be a dynamic pass rusher for us and progress well in our system.”

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FALL SIGNEESMike Dare • QB • 6-6 • 225 lbs • Elmwood, N.J. • Elmwood Park Memorial HS • Lackawanna College • RutgersLackawanna College / Rutgers Transferred to Lackawanna College after spending his true and redshirt freshman seasons at Rutgers … completed 124 of 215 passes for 1,970 yards and 15 TD while also rushing for three scores in 2017 … finished with a 150.2 efficiency rating for the year … was listed as the No. 7 Junior College quarterback in the country by GridironRR.com … did not see any action during the 2016 season at Rutgers after redshirting in 2015.

Prior to RutgersCoached by Tom Mulligan at Elmwood Park … four-year varsity starter at quarterback … totaled 7,826 passing yards and 107 passing touchdowns over four seasons in high school … a first team all-Colonial Conference selection and NJ.com second team all-Group pick as a senior … also named all-Bergen County first team in a vote of coaches … threw for 2,160 yards and 26 touchdowns in final scholastic season … led team to berth in the NJSIAA North I, Group II playoff for the third consecutive year to cap career … team went 7-3 … completed passes at a 61.2 percent clip (126-of-206) as a junior for 1,834 yards and 19 passing touchdowns as a junior … had two games with at least 300 yards passing … had one of the top passing performances in the state as a sophomore with 380 yards vs Rutherford in 2012 … a consensus three-star recruit … rated No. 12 player in New Jersey by Rivals and No. 18 pro-style quarterback nationally … ranked No. 19 player in the state by ESPN.com and No. 30 by Scout … part of NJ.com Top 50 … also played youth baseball and high school baseball

Keeler on Dare “Mike is a special talent and should immediately add competition to our quarterback group. He is a pro-style guy who can also be used in the run game, and he is as polished of a quarterback as I’ve ever recruited. Mike has a strong arm, quick release and great leadership skills. Those are all things that helped him land some Big 12 offers as well, but he loved the fit here, as well as the offense and the chance to throw to two returning first team all-America wide receivers next year.”

Alex Williams • RB • 5-11 • 185 lbs • Pasadena, Texas • Memorial HSA three-star recruit who rushed for 3,242 yards and 42 touchdowns in his high school career … also had a dozen receptions for 175 yards and six scores … was named the District 22-6A MVP in 2017 and had a game in which he scored seven touchdowns, including five on the ground, in a season-opening win over Aldine … led Mavs to state playoffs each of last two seasons …also named 2016 District 22-6A Offensive Player of the Year … averaged 8.4 yards per carry as a junior … racked up 1,408 yards rushing and 11 TDs in 2016 … also earned academic all-district honors and the leadership award at Memorial HS … played sophomore season at West-Orange Stark HS … also a standout in track, posting 21-1 in the long jump and running a 10.6 100-meter dash.

Keeler on Alex Williams“Alex is an electric player that we can use both in the backfield or in the slot. He has amazing versatility and could also be used to help our return game. We saw him in camp and he runs a legit 4.4 40-yard dash, and he just continues to add to the amazing depth of speed and athleticism we have on the offensive side of the ball.”

Donovan Williams • RB • 6-0 • 185 lbs • Paris, Texas • Paris HSA three-star recruit who rushed for over 4,000 yards and 47 touchdowns, while also catching 266 yards worth of receptions in his high school career … 2017 District 7-4A Offensive MVP … first team all-state … led PHS to state playoffs for second straight year in 2017 … Rushed for 1,491 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior … averaged 6.0 yards per carry … had eight games with at least 100 yards rushing, including a pair of 200-yard games … also had eight catches for 107 yards and a touchdown … led PHS to 2016 district championship … rushed for 1,637 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior … also caught a pair of touchdowns … 2016 all-Red River Valley … 2016 district co-Offensive MVP … honorable mention all-state selection … also a standout in track, posting a 10.8 100-meter dash.

Keeler on Donovan Williams“Donovan is bigger than Alex and is more of a true running back. He is a very good in-the-box, physical runner with the opportunity to break big plays with 4.5 speed in the 40, but he can still come out of the backfield and use his hands very well.”

Immanuel Sutton • S • 6-1 • 175 lbs • Fort Worth, Texas • Keller Fossil Ridge HSTwo-time first team all-District 3-6A as a safety, including a unanimous choice as a senior in 2017 … lettered three years on varsity … averaged 7.2 tackles per game for his career … had 96 tackles, two interceptions, four TFLs, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery as a junior … also had 37 tackles, two pass breakups and two TFLs as a sophomore ... also runs track and has been clocked with a 4.49 40-yard dash … brother, Roy, will be a senior linebacker at Central Arkansas in 2018.

Keeler on Sutton “Immanuel is a versatile safety that can run, hit and play man-to-man. Those are all of the things we try to ask out of our safeties. He is a very willing tackler in the box and does a great job in run-fit situations as well. He also has a great frame to work with and he will only get stronger as he gets into our program and continues to grow.”